18 January 2019
Sara Kilpatrick, Executive Director
Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors
222 East Town St., 2W
Columbus, OH 43215
Dear Sara,
The Ohio Federation of Teachers stands in solidarity with you and your members against Wright State’s attack on your collective bargaining rights. Please know that OFT members across the state support you in urging the administration to come back to the table to bargain in good faith for a fair contract that supports faculty members and students.
The administration’s threat to eliminate your right to bargain health care reeks of Senate Bill 5. It was not so long ago that thousands of voters supported workers’ rights in a statewide referendum of the state legislatures attempt to eliminate collective bargaining rights. SB 5 was a resounding failure for those trying to attack workers. Similar efforts to eliminate collective bargaining rights through other routes also have failed. We stand with you against this attack.
We understand that the imposed contract would be overwhelmingly negative for faculty, students, alumni and the community. It is important that Wright State faculty stand up for students to reach a fair contract that preserves and improves the quality of education. We are all too familiar with how faculty workload – we know it in K-12 schools as class size – directly impacts the quality of education. It is sad that administrators fail to recognize the negative impact of their actions.
We urge the Schrader administration and Wright State Board of Trustees to return to the table to bargain in good faith toward an agreement that is fair to faculty and improves the experience of students.
Please keep us informed about how our members across the state can be helpful to your faculty at Wright State.
In Solidarity,
Melissa Cropper, President
Ohio Federation of Teachers
614-258-3240
